Stackable and nestable cookware having a stable configuration

Abstract

A set of nestable and stackable cookware, for example, a set of pots and pans, is maintained in a stable configuration by stops attached to the outer walls of the cookware. Each stacked and nested item of cookware is supported on the rim of the lower item by two stops attached to its outer wall, on opposite sides of the item. Each stop is shaped and configured to contact the rim of the lower item in the stack at a finite number of points. The points of contact lie in the same plane, which uprightly supports the stacked cookware item on the lower cookware item, without the walls or the base of the stacked cookware item touching the lower item.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A cookware set of stackable and nestable cookware items comprising:
 a first cookware item comprising a first base, a first wall rising from the first base and integral with the first base, a first rim at the top of the first wall and integral with the first wall, a first stop connected to an exterior of the first wall between the first base and the first rim and extending outwardly from the first wall, and a second stop connected to an exterior of the first wall between the first base and the first rim and extending outwardly from the first wall; 
 a second cookware item comprising a second base, a second wall rising from the second base and integral with the second base, a second rim at the top of the second wall and integral with the second wall; 
 the first cookware item stacked on and nested within the second cookware item, provided that the first base and first wall are not contacting the second base or second wall; 
 the first stop directly contacting the second rim at exactly two contact points, and the second stop directly contacting the second rim at exactly two contact points, so that the first cookware item is supported directly on the second rim at the contact points in a stacked and nested position in the second cookware item; and 
 wherein the first stop has a lower edge having a non-linear profile which defines the exactly two contact points, the first stop has an inner surface substantially entirely in contact with the exterior of the first wall and extending between the exactly two contact points and the second stop has a lower edge having a non-linear profile which defines the exactly two contact points, the second stop has an inner surface substantially entirely in contact with the exterior of the first wall and extending between the exactly two contact points; and 
 wherein the first stop has a left end and a right end spaced apart from the left end, the exactly two contact points of the first stop disposed and spaced apart on the left end and the right end; and 
 wherein the second stop has a left end and a right end spaced apart from the left end, the exactly two contact points of the second stop disposed and spaced apart on the left end and the right end. 
 
     
     
       2. The cookware set of  claim 1  wherein the first stop and second stop are on opposite sides of the first cookware item. 
     
     
       3. The cookware set of  claim 1  wherein the first stop or the second stop has a height in the direction from the first base to the first rim, and a width greater than the height. 
     
     
       4. The cookware set of  claim 1  wherein all of the contact points lie in the same plane. 
     
     
       5. The cookware set of  claim 1  wherein the first cookware item has a first handle attached to the first wall and extending outwardly from the first wall. 
     
     
       6. The cookware set of  claim 5  wherein the first handle is adjacent to and above the first stop and is not integral with the first stop. 
     
     
       7. The cookware set of  claim 5  wherein the first handle is integrally part of the first stop. 
     
     
       8. A stackable cookware item adapted to be nested within and stacked on a second cookware item, the stackable cookware item comprising a first base, a first wall rising from the first base and integral with the first base, a first rim at the top of the first wall and integral with the first wall, a first stop connected to an exterior of the first wall between the first base and the first rim and extending outwardly from the first wall, and a second stop connected to an exterior of the first wall between the first base and the first rim and extending outwardly from the first wall, the first stop adapted to directly contact a rim of the second cookware item at exactly two contact points, and the second stop adapted to directly contact the rim of the second cookware item at exactly two contact points, so that the first cookware item is supported directly on the rim of the second cookware item at the contact points in a stacked and nested position in the second cookware item so that that the first base and first wall are not contacting the a base or a wall of the second cookware item; and
 wherein the first stop has a lower edge having a non-linear profile which defines the exactly two contact points, the first stop has an inner surface substantially entirely in contact with the exterior of the first wall and extending between the exactly two contact points and the second stop has a lower edge having a non-linear profile which defines the exactly two contact points, the second stop has an inner surface substantially entirely in contact with the exterior of the first wall and extending between the exactly two contact points; and 
 wherein the first stop has a left end and a right end spaced apart from the left end, the exactly two contact points of the first stop disposed and spaced apart on the left end and the right end; and 
 wherein the second stop has a left end and a right end spaced apart from the left end, the exactly two contact points of the second stop disposed and spaced apart on the left end and the right end. 
 
     
     
       9. The stackable cookware item of  claim 8  wherein the first stop and second stop are on opposite sides of the stackable cookware item. 
     
     
       10. The stackable cookware item of  claim 8  wherein the first stop or the second stop has a height in the direction from the first base to the first rim, and a width greater than the height. 
     
     
       11. The stackable cookware item of  claim 8  wherein all of the contact points lie in the same plane. 
     
     
       12. The stackable cookware item of  claim 8  wherein the stackable cookware item has a first handle attached to the first wall and extending outwardly from the first wall. 
     
     
       13. The stackable cookware item of  claim 8  wherein the first handle is adjacent to and above the first stop and is not integral with the first stop. 
     
     
       14. The stackable cookware item of  claim 8  wherein the first handle is integrally part of the first stop. 
     
     
       15. In a cookware set consisting of a first cookware item having an outer wall and a second cookware item having a rim, the first cookware item being sized and shape to nest within the second cookware item, the improvement comprising:
 a first stop and a second stop attached to the outer wall of the first cookware item, the first stop adapted to directly contact the rim of the second cookware item at exactly two contact points, and the second stop adapted to directly contact the rim of the second cookware item at exactly two contact points, so that the first cookware item is supported directly on the rim of the second cookware item at the contact points in a stacked and nested position in the second cookware item, 
 wherein the first stop has a lower edge having a non-linear profile which defines the exactly two contact points, the first stop has an inner surface substantially entirely in contact with the exterior of the first wall and extending between the exactly two contact points and the second stop has a lower edge having a non-linear profile which defines the exactly two contact points, the second stop has an inner surface substantially entirely in contact with the exterior of the first wall and extending between the exactly two contact points; and 
 wherein the first stop has a left end and a right end spaced apart from the left end, the exactly two contact points of the first stop disposed and spaced apart on the left end and the right end; and 
 wherein the second stop has a left end and a right end spaced apart from the left end, the exactly two contact points of the second stop disposed and spaced apart on the left end and the right end. 
 
     
     
       16. The improvement of  claim 15  wherein the first stop and second stop are on opposite sides of the stackable cookware item. 
     
     
       17. The improvement of  claim 15  wherein the first stop or the second stop has a height in the direction from the first base to the first rim, and a width greater than the height. 
     
     
       18. The cookware set of stackable and nestable cookware items of  claim 1  wherein a first gap is defined between the first stop and the second rim, the first gap extending between the exactly two points of contact, and a second gap is defined between the second stop and the second rim, the second gap extending between the exactly two points of contact.